The first Pacific National Exhibition Fair took place in 1910. For about two decades, the fair was the second largest in North America after the New York City Fair.

Since that time, the site has played host to many famous events including the
Miracle Mile at Empire Stadium in 1954. In this now-historic race, John Landy
of Australia and Roger Bannister of England both broke the four-minute mile
barrier.

            PNE timeline

• May 31, 1907: A dozen Vancouver Businessmen formed the Vancouver Exhibition Association, with a goal of developing a fair to showcase Vancouver to the world.

• August 17, 1910: The Pacific National Exhibition opens at Hastings Park. A crowd of 5,000 people gather for the opening ceremonies, conducted by Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Admission is 50 cents and over 68,000 people attend the ten-day fair. Opened during the 1910 fair, Happyland is the first midway at the PNE.
  　
• 1930: The Forum is constructed at a cost of $300,000. It is the largest artificial ice surface in North America at the time.
  　
• 1934: The PNE gives away a home as part of the first Prize Home Lottery. This is the first time such a significant prize had ever been awarded. The prize is valued at over $5,000 including home, east Vancouver lot and furnishings (from Eaton's).
  　
• 1942: For the first time since 1910, the PNE does not stage the annual fair. The property is used by the Department of Defense for internment and military purposes.
  　
• 1945: The Vancouver Canucks join the Pacific Coast Hockey League playing at the PNE Forum.
  　
• 1947: The fair reopens after a five-year hiatus. Jimmy Durante is the headliner.
  　
• 1954: Empire Stadium is constructed. PNE hosts the British Empire Games.
  　
• 1954: The Bannister-Landy Miracle Mile takes place at Empire Stadium as part of the British Empire Games. World's first sub-four minute mile.
  　
• 1958: Ride construction team of Walker LeRoy and Carl Phare design and construct the Playland Wooden Coaster.
  　
• 1958: Happyland moves from the east side of the grounds to the Cassiar Street side and is renamed Playland.
  　
• 1967: Pacific Coliseum constructed at a cost of $6 million.
  　
• 1999: PNE welcomes 60 millionth guest to the fair.
  　
• August 16 - September 1, 2003: 88th PNE Fair.

Resource:    City of Vancouver - PNE      http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/pne/